The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-06-07
THE BODYKE EVICTIONS.

The recent evictions at Bodyke have already
become famous or infamous, and will figure
in future histories of Irish cruelties. The
name of Bodyke may give rise to new word,
as that of Boycott did. Certainly, the occur
rences cannot fail to have influence on
public opinion in England, for there is, after
all, a substratum of fair play in the English
mind which leans to the weaker side, especially
when it is outrageously abused. The whole
policy is so costly, so brutal and SO fruitless
of good results that it is surprising the British
authorities should adopt or even allow it. It
is true, in a sense, that the landlords have
the law and the rights which the law gives
them OF their side. 1t is nominated in the
bond that they shall receive so much rent.
But it is a notorious fact that most of the
lands are raSk-rented, and it is utterly
impossible for the tenants to continue to
payment at the rates demanded To exact it
is to demand the pound of flesh. And, it
should be remembered, the tenants do not
refuse to pay any rent whatever The "Plan
of Campaign" which has been adopted with
remarkable enthusiasm and unanimity, is to
deposit what is deemed fair and equitable
rents in the hands of trustees for tender to
the landlords and if this tender is refused the
tenants will suffer eviction rather than yield
to extortion. The organization on this plan of
campaign is so extensive, and the number of
tenants who have agreed upon it so great, that
it would seem to be impossible to enforce
eviction in every case. The people are
aroused and united, and it will hardly
be possible to subdue without exter-
presents to the civilized world, that of great
and powerful government marshaling its
forces in battle array, and proceeding with all
the pomp and circumstance of glorious war to
lay siege to a few shanties for the purpose of
turning old men, women and children out of
their homes, and pitching their little furni-
ture in the road! At Bodyke the attacking
force consisted of royal Irish constabulary,
Welsh Rifles and q number of emergency
men," all under the command of sheriff. It
took this gallant force, representingth the power
and prestige of the British government, one
entire day of active work to eject two fam
lilies. The first Of these was the family of
John Lddy, who kept them at bay some
hours, and were only finally evicted when
their cabin was knocked to pieces.
A great crowd was present, among others,
Michael Davitt who got there the inspiration
for his fiery and, perhaps, ill-timed speech of
had NIT nod
of the house by the constables and Davitt
picked them up. After John Liddy and his
family had been turned out of their cabin and
the cabin itself knocked in pieces, the soldiers
were commanded to fall in and marched away,
the crowd following Says a correspondent
who was present; "Not all, however, went.
One man and one little group remained The
man was John Liddy, who stood gazing
blankly at the piled-up heap of his demolished
furniture. The group consisted of his wife,
with streaming eyes, grasping pretty, fair
haired child of about four years, and Michael
Dav;tt, with tears in his eyes, comforting
them and dividing his flowers with them. y
When the other eviction was accomplished,
that of family named MacNamara, a grown
| up daughter who was turned out with the
rest, sprang on the ruins of her home, silenced
the crowd with a wave of her hand, and
shouted at the top of her voice: "Three cheers
for the Plan of Campaign" And they were
given with will. England may possibly sue
coed in conquering and crushing these people,
but it will be done at terrible cost.
rrx L.